Manas Is the Concomitant Basis of Consciousness

Simultaneous supporting condition (俱有依) refers to the state where two or more dharmas exist together. "Simultaneous" (俱) means they are inherently coexistent from the very beginning, present together at birth. "Supporting" (依) denotes dependence—where the existence of one necessitates the other, and this dharma relies on that dharma to arise and persist.

Some claim that the five sense faculties (五根) serve as the simultaneous supporting condition for consciousness (意识), implying that the five sense faculties are necessary conditions for the arising of consciousness: without the five sense faculties, there is no consciousness; where consciousness exists, the five sense faculties must be present. Is this truly the case? Considering the forms of sentient beings, many lack the five sense faculties yet still possess consciousness. For instance, formless realm devas (无色界天人), bodhisattvas manifesting without physical bodies, and great arhats (大阿罗汉), among others—all possess consciousness without the five sense faculties. The independent consciousness (独头意识) of all sentient beings does not depend on the five sense faculties to arise or exist. In deep meditative absorption, consciousness can operate outside the body, still cognizing sense objects (尘境) without requiring the five sense faculties. Therefore, the five sense faculties are not the simultaneous supporting condition for consciousness. The simultaneous supporting conditions for consciousness are the eighth consciousness (第八识), the manas (意根), and seeds (种子).

The conditions required for consciousness to arise are very few, making it easy to arise and easy to cease. The five consciousnesses (五识) cease entirely and do not exist in meditative absorption above the second dhyāna. Consciousness ceases only in the state of non-perception (无想定) and the cessation samādhi (灭尽定). Thus, the simultaneous supporting condition for consciousness is not the five sense faculties nor the five consciousnesses, but rather the manas. The manas is the root from which consciousness can arise; consciousness relies on the manas to emerge and function. Only after the manas engages in mental attention (作意) and makes selections (抉择) can consciousness arise; otherwise, it cannot. Therefore, consciousness always accompanies the manas, serves it, regulates it, and influences it (熏染). However, the manas does not necessarily accompany consciousness or coexist simultaneously with it. There are many instances when the manas exists alone, such as during sleep.